Admirable Friendship with the subtitle – An Anthology of Buddhist Texts, Dharma Talks, Book Excerpts, and Quotations is a brand-new stuff published this February by the Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple in Vernon. The book is about friendships and especially those friendships that arises between monks or lay people on the path. This is called Kalyana-mittata in Pali or Kalyana-mitrata in Sanskrit. Wikipedia has a great article about the concept of spiritual friendships here: link. Download the ebook here:
Admirable Friendship
What is Kalyana-mittata or spiritual friendship?
Kalyana-mittata is a term from Buddhist teachings, often translated into English as “spiritual friendship,” “virtuous friendship,” or “admirable friendship.” It stems from the Pali words “kalyana” (or kalyāṇa), which means “beautiful,” “good,” or “auspicious,” and “mitta” (or mitta), referring to a “friend.” Combined, the concept involves a relationship that is spiritually beneficial, wholesome, and leads individuals toward personal growth and moral or spiritual development.
This concept is considered significant in Buddhist practice, where a kalyana-mitta is someone who helps others develop spiritually, offering guidance, wisdom, and support along the path to enlightenment. The relationship is characterized by mutual respect, shared values, and a common commitment to pursuing spiritual growth.
In the broader context, a kalyana-mitta could be anyone from a spiritual teacher, a guide, a fellow practitioner, or even a community (sangha) that provides spiritual friendship and companionship. This relationship is grounded in compassion, shared ethical commitments, and the pursuit of understanding and liberating one’s mind, rather than in material or self-serving interests.
The Buddha himself, in various sutras, emphasized the importance of spiritual companionship, considering it not merely helpful but essential in the spiritual journey. According to some teachings, he is said to have remarked that admirable friendship, companionship, or association is the whole of the spiritual life, suggesting that every component of the path to enlightenment can be encompassed and supported through such relationships.